Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria’s challenges will persist until the nation can feed itself.
The Former President, also praised Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his transformative approach to agriculture in Nigeria.
Obasanjo gave the commendation over the weekend during a courtesy visit by a delegation of commissioners and special advisers from Niger State to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured a state-of-the-art soilless farm, where young individuals from Niger State were receiving training in innovative agricultural techniques, with plans to replicate these practices back home.
Obasanjo expressed his admiration for Governor Bago’s initiative, comparing it to his own “Operation Feed the Nation” policy implemented during his time as Military Head of State from 1976 to 1979.
He maintained that the availability of modern equipment today could amplify the impact of such initiatives.
The former President underscored the importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, emphasizing that Nigeria’s challenges will persist until the nation can feed itself.
He urged other state governors to follow Niger State’s lead in agricultural development, highlighting the need for Nigeria to produce the majority of its own food.
Obasanjo also encouraged the Niger State administration to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to improve current practices.
He expressed his intention to visit Niger State soon with his team to learn from their progress and exchange ideas that could enhance his own agricultural efforts.
Speaking further, Obasanjo advised Nigerians to consider investing in soilless farming, warning that the current rate of land use could lead to a shortage of arable land in the country.
He stressed that innovative farming techniques are crucial to maintaining the nation’s agricultural productivity.